Elopement Day Timeline Examples
How many hours should I hire my photographer for?
LOVE, LORRAINE ADVENTURE WEDDING and ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
The ultimate question when it comes to planning your elopement is how long should you hire your photographer. When it comes to elopements, it's in our nature to immediately think “well my elopement can’t last THAT long”. Most couples that book with us book us for a full day. That’s 8 plus hours of adventuring, celebrating your love, and a whole lot of fun!
Before we jump in, imagine that you’re planning a big wedding for you and your partner. A big wedding typically plays out like this…
Get ready separately and spend the earlier parts of the day with loved ones or your best friends.
You’ll want this time to prepare yourself for the day ahead. Maybe have a mimosa and some breakfast to start the day.
You’ll get dressed, have a first look with your partner, and then head to your ceremony where you will stand before your guests, exchange your vows, and enjoy some celebratory drinks with your guests afterward.
Would you cut the day short here? Most likely not. Now it is time for dinner and a party! All said and done, this certainly sounds like an all-day event.
Elopements are just as important and shouldn’t be cut short because it’s “just an elopement!”.
All-day elopements happen more frequently than you may think. Don’t worry if this is news to you, this post is all about empowering you to make your own decision about your day. We will cover all of the options around a full-day elopement, and why having a full-day elopement is the best way to elope!
Planning your elopement is not something to sell short. It is something to do with intention and to craft into your perfect day. This requires time. There is no reason to rush all of the things you love, and there is every reason to pack as much of what you love into your elopement day!
Why you should hire an elopement photographer for a full day!
As you start planning for your dream elopement day, it is important to take the time to do some brainstorming with your partner about what you want the day to look like. And we have a great exercise to get you started. Keep in mind, we do this with all of our couples :-)
Imagine your perfect day. From the moment you get up, to the moment you go to bed, what do you see yourselves doing? Don’t limit yourselves! Imagine anything is possible? Where would you travel to? What activities would you want to plan? Who would be there with you, or would it be just the two of you? What would you like to eat and drink?
Dream BIG! Nothing is impossible or off-limits during this brainstorming section!
This exercise often produces a lot of overwhelming ideas. But! It does accomplish something very important. It provides you with a snapshot of what you truly want for your elopement experience. Now, look at your new snapshot in all of its beauty, and as yourself, how much time will this take?
Certainly, you can’t complete all of the things you hope to do in a small 2-3 hour window. That’s exactly why most of our couples book a full day with us. Our couples spend time curating their perfect day-of experiences so that they can enjoy every moment of their day. Instead of rushing around to check off a bunch of things you want to do, you can build time to enjoy them instead of simply experiencing them quickly and moving to the next. Taking the time to be present on your elopement day is key!
Let’s get one thing out of the way - booking a photographer for your all-day elopement does NOT mean that you are signing up for an all-day photoshoot. It’s quite the opposite!
Hiring an elopement photographer for the full day allows them to document your day as it unfolds, rather than rush around trying to force all the right shots to happen. As your elopement photographers, all-day elopements allow us the opportunity to tell your entire elopement day story. Capturing your love as it happens in real-time is a challenging thing if you are rushing around all day, or spending it trying to treat your guests to a good time instead of enjoying some alone time with your partner.
Imagine yourself, enjoying a beautiful hike with your partner in one of your favorite locations. The beautiful mountain views are behind you, and there’s no noise from the rest of the world to interrupt this very moment. It’s just the two of you, enjoying where you are, celebrating your love for one another. This is a moment to capture and remember forever.
As your photographers, it is our job to ensure you have the absolute best day possible. This is about you. Not us! We want your elopement to be everything you hoped for and more! Providing you with the best experience and taking the most epic photos ever is our passion.
All-Day Elopement Day Timeline Examples
Now that you’re stoked, full of ideas, and eager to start planning your elopement, let’s take a look at what an elopement day timeline looks like. Even after all of the information we have given you up to this point, you may still be wondering what an all-day elopement looks like. Buckle up! We are going to walk you through a few full-day elopement timelines, and one bonus multiple-day elopement timeline.
Maddy & Tyler’s Big Sur Elopement with Guests
Maddy & Tyler planned their perfect day in Big Sur with 10 of their favorite people present.
08:00 am - 12:00 pm: Lauren & Travis arrive at the vineyard house where Maddy & Tyler are getting ready. They have a relaxing morning with coffee and brunch by the pool and later, they get ready separately.
12:00 pm - It’s first look time! They chose to have a first look at the property they rented. They wanted to share their vows ahead of their ceremony, so they chose to do this during their first look. After their first look, Maddy, Tyler, and their guests jumped into a shuttle which took them to the ceremony location.
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: We arrived at their ceremony location. We hiked down and found the perfect overlook that had incredible views of the rocky coast. After their ceremony, they had a celebratory toast with their guests. We took group portraits followed by portraits of Maddy & Tyler.
06:00 pm - 09:00 pm: Once back at their Airbnb, they were welcomed by live music from a guitarist, and guests ordered drinks from a trailer bar. They had a private Private Chef onsite, which meant appetizers and charcuterie for all ahead of the multiple course meal for dinner.
Julia & Ian’s Colorado HIKING Elopement
Julia & Ian love going on adventures, building campfires, and making S’mores. They wanted to incorporate all three into their day, but they also wanted their day to feel like a “typical day”. Just a day of adventuring with their dog Lacey, and celebrating their commitment to each other!
09:00 am - Lauren & Travis meet Julia & Ian at the local farmers market in downtown Salida, Colorado. We spent an hour or so walking around, checking out the local vendor and grabbing coffee and breakfast from a local shop in town.
11:00 am - We arrive at the trailhead and prepare for our hike up to Julia & Ian’s ceremony location.
12:30pm - 4:00 pm: Julia & Ian wanted to be in a secluded area when sharing their vows, so we found the perfect spot for them to do so. After their ceremony, we had some lunch followed by an epic couple’s portrait session.
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: We arrived at their Airbnb where we took some photos of Julia, Ian and their dog Lacey signing their marriage license. Yes! In the state of Colorado your dog can “sign” your marriage license. While the sun set, they made a campfire and cake and some S’mores!
Tara & Alec’s Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement with Guests
Tara & Alec planned a laid-back elopement day, in a location that they love, and focused on the things that they love to do like hiking and spending time with their friends and family.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Lauren & Travis arrive at Tara & Alec’s Airbnb. Tara & Alec decided to get ready separately and enjoy the morning with their best friends.
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Tara & Alec share a first look and a Coors Light to celebrate the adventure ahead. Tara & Alec love hiking and wanted to incorporate it in their day. We found a short hike in Rocky Mountain National Park that was perfect. They wanted to find time during their hike to share their thoughts and vows to one another before their second ceremony which would later include their friends and family.
3:00 pm - They had all of their friends and family gather around the deck of their Airbnb while Tara & Alec shared their vows with each other.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Tara & Alec wanted to have a non-traditional cocktail hour where we followed them around and captured candid photos with them and their friends and family. During this time, they had some of their closest friends share stories about the two of them and their incredible relationship. We loved experiencing this non-traditional approach to speeches, cocktail hour and family photos.
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: After enjoying their cocktail hour, we took off and drove around Grand Lake, Colorado for sunset portraits.
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Music is something Tara & Alec are passionate about, and they wanted their party to be as non-traditional as possible. They had a friend DJ their party and a friend make cocktails throughout the evening.
Courtney & Jose (Two-Day Elopement) Acadia National Park Elopement
Courtney & Jose are adventurers at heart. They love rock climbing, hiking, big-ass sandwiches, picnics, and Acadia National Park. We’d agree that all of their favorite things were perfected planned within their Acadia National Park two-day elopement!
DAY ONE
08:00 am: Lauren and Travis arrive at the Airbnb for detailed photos of the property. Courtney begins getting ready, taking her time and enjoying the process. Jose is with some guy friends at a separate property nearby.
10:00 am: First Look at their favorite spot along the coast. They shared love letters and some private vows. They took this time for themselves. This spot is special to them, it’s where they got engaged.
11:00am: A beautiful ceremony takes place with family & friends present. Once the ceremony concluded, we took some photos of the family members and some candid photos of friends.
12:00pm: We start at the river with an intimate picnic, and the biggest sandwich we have ever seen. EVER. Also included are some incredible local beers from Treehouse Brewing Company. Courtney and Jose found a great spot to sit and enjoy their picnic feast together, celebrating their ceremony success. Afterward, before heading into the park, we took some portraits around the river and the bridge.
2:00pm: We venture into Acadia National Park, with a whole list of stops on hand for portraits. Taking our time at each one, we let the experience come to us, rather than rushing to each location. As the sun begins to set, we head back for their reception dinner with their family and friends.
6:00pm: Back at the ceremony location, the celebration begins with loved ones and friends.
DAY TWO
10:00 am: Meet downtown to check in with our Rock Climbing guide and acquire the necessary gear and sign waivers. Our guide, Dick, was incredible. He did everything he could to set us up for success.
11:00 am: Arrive at the rock climbing location, set up all of our gear, and learn the basics. Dick allowed us to climb as many different routes as we wanted. As Courtney and Jose climbed, Lauren and Travis were rigged up on the wall to capture photos. Climbing lasted about 4-5 hours, and we even took a nice relaxing lunch break in a beautiful location.
5:00pm: Once the climbing tour was completed, we adventured around the park once more to capture sunset portraits. Courtney and Jose changed back into their wedding clothes and we scrambled on the rocks along the Atlantic coast.
8:00pm: After their sunset portraits, we met Courtney and Jose back at their hotel for a beer. We sat outside and shared stories, and remembered how epic the past two days were!
Elopement Day Timeline Tips and Tricks
Your day should be exactly how you pictured it. And it shouldn’t be rushed. The days go by so fast already, make sure to plan a day that allows you to enjoy what you want. Here are some of our tips to make the most of your all-day elopement experience!
Plan with Intention
This day is yours. Don’t waste it on things that you don’t want, or don’t enjoy! Your values are so important to consider when planning your elopement day. There is no need to veer away from what you and your partner both want on your elopement day. This is an opportunity for the two of you to showcase how well you work together, and simultaneously celebrate your love for one another.
Allow some flexibility in your day
There is nothing worse than having to rush when doing anything in life. Creating space so that you can relax throughout your day is important in staying present and enjoying every moment. Let the day come at you as it will, and allow yourself extra time to do everything around your day. This extra time may not be entirely necessary, but should it come in handy, or promote a spontaneous experience you’ll never forget, you’ll be happy you have it! Time is all we have, let’s use it wisely!
Consider the Weather
To add to the previous topic, always consider the weather and potential hurdles with weather that could arise. Not only should you have a backup plan in case the weather intervenes, but you can also plan ahead so that weather won’t intervene at all! Having the right plan in place, along with the right gear and preparation around your day-of activities can beat any weather without changing your plans at all! IMPORTANT: Should dangerous weather intervene, we always work with you to develop a Plan B :-)
Plan for Drive Time and Transitions
There are going to be some things that take time that have to exist on your elopement day, like the time it takes us to drive and the time it takes us to hike that trail to the lookout you’re dreaming about. Again, we highly recommend building in this time and extra time for each drive and transition throughout the day. If you think a hike will take one hour, plan for two! If you know the drive takes 35 minutes one way (thanks Google Maps!), plan for an hour just in case.
Don’t Let Anyone Intervene
This day, it’s yours. It belongs to you and your partner. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do on your elopement day. When you tell people about your elopement day, they are going to have feedback. They may have some ideas on how to make your day “better”. But don’t listen to them, these are their personal opinions, and this day is ALL ABOUT YOU. You and your partner are planning the best day of your lives together, it shouldn’t involve other people’s opinions or their glorified ideas of what your day “should look like”.
Plan Your Dream Elopement Day
Now that you are armed with all of our elopement day planning tips and a few epic all-day elopement examples, you are ready to take the leap into your elopement planning! Maybe you have already started your elopement planning and this post helped finish the job. That’s great! Whatever stage you are at with your elopement, you’ve got this. You can have the perfect day with your partner that you have always dreamed of. If you need a jumping off point, make sure to give our brainstorming exercise a try!
